scholarly journals Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in the Snow Cover of the Northern City Agglomeration 

Author(s):  
Aleksandr Kozhevnikov ◽  
Dmitry Kosyakov ◽  
Danil Falev ◽  
Sergey Sypalov ◽  
Irina Kozhevnikova

Abstract The 13 priority PAHs were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed in snow samples collected at 46 the crossroads of a large city in northern Europe - Arkhangelsk. The HPLC analysis revealed that the range of Σ13PAH concentrations detected in snow. The average, maximum and minimum values were respectively 167.7; 664.5 and 16.0 ng / kg snow. The average toxic equivalent quantity varied is 3.6 ng / kg, which is three times less than the established maximum permissible concentration. The sources of pollution origin were assessed using PAHs markers. The urban agglomeration of Arkhangelsk is not contaminated with anthropogenic PAHs. The markers identified pyrogenic sources of emission. Regression analysis was carried out to find correlations between the presence of benzo(a)pyrene and other PAHs in snow samples. We found that benzo(a)pyrene has a very high correlation with high molecular weight PAHs and has no correlation with low molecular weight PAHs. The quality of the snow polluted is satisfactory.

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kovačič ◽  
N. Ravbar

Abstract. Slovenian karst areas extend over 43% of the country; limestones and dolomites of the Mesozoic era prevail. In Slovenia karst groundwater contributes up to 50% of the total drinking water supply. The quality of water is very high, despite the fact that it is extremely vulnerable to pollution. The present article is a study and a review of the potential and actual sources of pollution to the groundwater in the selected karst aquifers (the Kras, Velika planina and Snežnik plateaus), which differ in their natural characteristics. Unlike the other selected plateaus, the Kras plateau is inhabited. There are several settlements in the area and the industrial, agricultural and traffic activities carried out that represent a serious threat to the quality of karst groundwater. The Velika planina and Snežnik plateaus do not have permanent residents, however there are some serious hazards to the quality of the karst springs arising from sports, tourist, construction and farming activities, as well as from the traffic related to them. Despite relatively favourable conditions for protection, many important karst aquifers and springs are improperly protected in Slovenia. The reason is the lack of knowledge about sustainable water management in karst regions and the confusion in drinking water protection policy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yu. Kozhevnikov ◽  
D. I. Falev ◽  
S. A. Sypalov ◽  
I. S. Kozhevnikova ◽  
D. S. Kosyakov

AbstractSixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in snow samples collected at 46 sites of Arkhangelsk as a world’s largest city above 64 degrees north latitude. The average, maximum and minimum PAH concentrations in snow were 168, 665, and 16 ng/kg, respectively. The average toxic equivalent value in benzo(a)pyrene units was 3.6 ng/kg, which is three-fold lower than the established maximum permissible concentration and considered an evidence of a low/moderate level of snow pollution with PAHs. The pollution origin was assessed using specific markers based on PAHs ratios in the studied samples. The pyrogenic sources of PAH emission were predominate, whereas the significant contributions from both transport and solid fuel combustion were observed. Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations are highly correlated with the levels of other PAHs with higher molecular weights.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (36) ◽  
pp. 306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anowa Evrade Larissa Eba ◽  
Kan Jean Kouame ◽  
Serge Deh ◽  
René Balliet ◽  
Mahmoud Touré ◽  
...  

The lagoon that is the subject of this study, was chosen as drinking water alternative source of supply for the city of Abidjan. However, this language is shown in a very favorable area of forest to agriculture. We observe large rubber plantations, food and oil palm crops spread throughout the lagoon basin. Also, fertilizers injected into these plantations, as well as releases from industries and homes they are potential sources of pollution of the lagoon. According Humbert (2012), this pollution is reflected in particular by widespread concentration of nitrates and pesticides. Given these observed problems related to the quality of this resource, this study was initiated. Its objective is to develop a methodology based on the functionality of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to assess the degree of threat to what the Aghein lagoon faces through the completion of a vulnerability map at pollution. The method used here is a spatial analysis model incorporating several parameters including the slope, land cover, soil type, runoff and drainage density. These parameters have been previously defined, prioritized and weighted, and then integrated into a GIS. The resulting map shows five classes of vulnerability indices to pollution of the lagoon Aghein. They are: very small classes, low, medium, high and very high. These indices highlight the areas from which the lagoon is threatened.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.B. Kalmanova

В статье представлены результаты исследования экологогеохимического состояния снежного покрова как индикатора качества атмосферного воздуха г. Биробиджана. Выявлены основные природные и антропогенные факторы, предопределяющие экологическое состояние городской территории в зимний период (климатические, планировочная структура, стационарные и мобильные источники загрязнения). Определено, что выбросы основных загрязнителей во время отопительного сезона превышает летний в 6,5 раз. Проведены геохимические исследования снежного покрова на 60 экспериментальных площадках, заложенных в различных функциональных зонах города. Выявлено значительное превышение тяжелых металлов над фоновым уровнем: железа до 60, марганца до 50, меди до 40, цинка до 20, никеля до 12, свинца до 10, кобальта до 6 раз. С 2003 по 2018 годы содержание химических элементов в снеге увеличилось в 2 раза за счет мобильных источников загрязнения, ТЭЦ, котельных. Проведена сравнительная характеристика накопления тяжелых металлов в снеге за 2003 и 2018 годы и установлен ранжированный ряд загрязняющих токсичных веществ. Разработана шкала оценки загрязнения депонирующих сред по суммарному показателю концентрации тяжелых металлов, согласно которой в Биробиджане выявлено 5 уровней загрязнения снежного покрова. В целом экологическое состояние урбанизированной территории признано неудовлетворительным (8 площади территории относится к очень высокому, 14 к высокому, 21 к выше среднему, 27 к среднему уровням загрязнения, 30 к относительно чистым районам города). По полученным результатам разработана карта в программе ArcView GIS Экологогеохимическое районирование территории г. Биробиджана по уровню загрязнения снежного покрова с выделением наиболее загрязненных участков (70 от общей площади города является загрязненной). По результатам проведенных исследований предложены конструктивные методы планирования урбанизированной территории с целью улучшения ее экологического состояния: проведение геомониторинга (контроль загрязнения снежного покрова и своевременный его вывоз на специально оборудованные полигоны). Snow cover is taken as an indicator of air quality using Birobidzhan, a middlesize city in the Russian Far East, as a case study. The main natural and manmade determinants influencing the ecological state of the urban area in winter are identified: climate, a planning structure, and the stationary and mobile sources of pollution. During the heating season the emission of major pollutants exceeds the summer level by 6.5 times. The geochemical study of snow cover was performed at 60 experimental sites in different functional urban areas. A significant excess of heavy metals over the regional background level was revealed: iron up to 60 times, manganese up to 50, copper up to 40, zinc up to 20 , nickel up to 12, lead up to 10, cobalt up to 6 times. From 2003 to 2018 the content of chemical elements in snow increased in 2 times due to the mobile sources of pollution, thermal power plants, and boilers. The comparative characteristic of accumulation of heavy metals in snow for 2003 and 2018 is carried out, and the ranked number of polluting toxic substances is established. The scale of pollution assessment in depositing environments was developed using the cumulative indicator of heavy metal concentration. Five levels of snow cover pollution are found in Birobidzhan: low, moderate, above moderate, high and very high. As a whole, the ecological state of the urban area is considered as unsatisfactory (8 of the area with a very high level of pollution, 14 with high, 21 above moderate, 27 a moderate level of pollution, 30 a relatively clean area). According to the results, a map was developed in the ArcView GIS program Ecological and geochemical zoning of Birobidzhan, using the level of the snow cover pollution with the allocation of the most polluted areas (70 of the total area of the city is polluted). According to the results, a constructive method of planning in an urban area is proposed in order to improve its environmental condition: geomonitoring as a control of pollution in snow cover and its prompt removal to specially equipped landfills.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int

The assessment of groundwater is essential for the estimation of suitability of water for safe use. An attempt has been made to study the groundwater of selected areas of Punjab (Sheikhupura & Sahiwal) and Sindh (Sindh, Jawar Dharki and Dharki), Pakistan. The results indicate that pH, color and odor were all within limits of WHO that is pH ranges 6.5–8.5, colorless and odorless, respectively. The high values of suspended solids were observed in the Sindh-1 and Dharki samples. Microbiologically only Sahiwal and Jawar Dharki were found fit for drinking purpose. Trace metals analysis of Sheikhupura-1 and Sindh-1 showed that values do not fall within limits of WHO for Iron. The ionic concentration analysis showed that high bicarbonate (HCO3-), ions are present in the samples of Sahiwal and Dharki; Sindh-1 and Jawar Dharki samples showed very high concentration for chloride ions, all samples were satisfactory level for sulphate (SO42-), sodium, magnesium and phosphate ions except samples of Sindh-1 and Jawar Dharki. High concentration of calcium and potassium ions was observed in samples of Sindh-1, while all other samples were found fit for drinking purposes in respect of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium ions. The high concentration of Fluoride was found only in Sheikhupura-2 samples.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1329-1333
Author(s):  
Miodrag Šmelcerović

The protection of the environment and people’s health from negative influences of the pollution of air as a medium of the environment requires constant observing of the air quality in accordance with international standards, the analysis of emission and imission of polluting matters in the air, and their connection with the sources of pollution. Having in mind the series of laws and delegated legislations which define the field of air pollution, it is necessary to closely observe these long-term processes, discovering cause-and-effect relationships between the activities of anthropogenic sources of emission of polluting matters and the level of air degradation. The relevant evaluation of the air quality of a certain area can be conducted if the level of concentration of polluting matters characteristic for the pollution sources of this area is observed in a longer period of time. The data obtained by the observation of the air pollution are the basis for creation of the recovery program of a certain area. Vranje is a town in South Serbia where there is a bigger number of anthropogenic pollution sources that can significantly diminish the air quality. The cause-and-effect relationship of the anthropogenic sources of pollution is conducted related to the analysis of systematized data which are in the relevant data base of the authorized institution The Institute of Public Health Vranje, for the time period between the year of 2012. and 2017. By the analysis of data of imission concentrations of typical polluting matters, the dominant polluting matters were determined on the territory of the town of Vranje, the ones that are the causers of the biggest air pollution and the risk for people’s health. Analysis of the concentration of soot, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides indicates their presence in the air of Vranje town area in concentrations that do not exceed the permitted limit values annually. The greatest pollution is caused by the soot content in the air, especially in the winter period when the highest number of days with the values above the limit was registered. By perceiving the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, it is clear that the concentration of polluting matters can be decreased only by establishing control over anthropogenic sources of pollution, and thus it can be contributed to the improvement of the air quality of this urban environment.


1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 1905-1924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Phuong-Nguyen ◽  
Geneviève Delmas

Dissolution, crystallization and second dissolution traces of isotactic poly(propylene) have been obtained in a slow temperature ramp (3 K h-1) with the C80 Setaram calorimeter. Traces of phase-change, in presence of solvent, are comparable to traces without solvent. The change of enthalpy on heating or cooling, ∆Htotal, over the 40-170 °C temperature range, is the sum of two contributions, ∆HDSC and ∆Hnetwork. The change ∆HDSC is the usual heat obtained in a fast temperature ramp and ∆Hnetwork is associated with a physical network whose disordering is slow and subject to superheating due to strain. When dissolution is complete, ∆Htotal is equal to ∆H0, the heat of fusion of perfect crystals. The values of ∆Htota for nascent and recrystallized samples are compared. Dissolution is the tool to evaluate the quality of the crystals. The repartition of ∆Htotal, into the two endotherms, reflects the quality of crystals. The crystals grown more rapidly have a higher fraction of network crystals which are stable at high T in the solvents. A complete dissolution, i.e. a high temperature (170 °C or more) is necessary to obtain good crystals. The effect of concentration, polymer molecular weight and solvent quality on crystal growth is analyzed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3603-3611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dympna Waldron ◽  
Ciaran A. O'Boyle ◽  
Michael Kearney ◽  
Michael Moriarty ◽  
Desmond Carney

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing importance of assessing quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer, relatively little is known about individual patient's perceptions of the issues contributing to their QoL. The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) and the shorter SEIQoL–Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) assess individualized QoL using a semistructured interview technique. Here we report findings from the first administration of the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW to patients with advanced incurable cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: QoL was assessed on a single occasion using the SEIQoL and SEIQoL-DW in 80 patients with advanced incurable cancer. RESULTS: All patients were able to complete the SEIQoL-DW, and 78% completed the SEIQoL. Of a possible score of 100, the median QoL global score was as follows: SEIQoL, 61 (range, 24 to 94); SEIQoL-DW, 60.5 (range, 6 to 95). Psychometric data for SEIQoL indicated very high levels of internal consistency (median r = .90) and internal validity (median R2 = 0.88). Patients' judgments of their QoL were unique to the individual. Family concerns were almost universally rated as more important than health, the difference being significant when measured using the SEIQoL-DW (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced incurable cancer were very good judges of their QoL, and many patients rated their QoL as good. Judgments were highly individual, with very high levels of consistency and validity. The primacy given to health in many QoL questionnaires may be questioned in this population. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to clinical assessment and advance directives.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1695
Author(s):  
Constantin-Octavian Andrei ◽  
Sonja Lahtinen ◽  
Markku Poutanen ◽  
Hannu Koivula ◽  
Jan Johansson

The tenth launch (L10) of the European Global Navigation Satellite System Galileo filled in all orbital slots in the constellation. The launch carried four Galileo satellites and took place in July 2018. The satellites were declared operational in February 2019. In this study, we report on the performance of the Galileo L10 satellites in terms of orbital inclination and repeat period parameters, broadcast satellite clocks and signal in space (SiS) performance indicators. We used all available broadcast navigation data from the IGS consolidated navigation files. These satellites have not been reported in the previous studies. First, the orbital inclination (56.7±0.15°) and repeat period (50680.7±0.22 s) for all four satellites are within the nominal values. The data analysis reveals also 13.5-, 27-, 177- and 354-days periodic signals. Second, the broadcast satellite clocks show different correction magnitude due to different trends in the bias component. One clock switch and several other minor correction jumps have occurred since the satellites were declared operational. Short-term discontinuities are within ±1 ps/s, whereas clock accuracy values are constantly below 0.20 m (root-mean-square—rms). Finally, the SiS performance has been very high in terms of availability and accuracy. Monthly SiS availability has been constantly above the target value of 87% and much higher in 2020 as compared to 2019. Monthly SiS accuracy has been below 0.20 m (95th percentile) and below 0.40 m (99th percentile). The performance figures depend on the content and quality of the consolidated navigation files as well as the precise reference products. Nevertheless, these levels of accuracy are well below the 7 m threshold (95th percentile) specified in the Galileo service definition document.


Smart Cities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1058-1086
Author(s):  
Franklin Oliveira ◽  
Daniel G. Costa ◽  
Luciana Lima ◽  
Ivanovitch Silva

The fast transformation of the urban centers, pushed by the impacts of climatic changes and the dramatic events of the COVID-19 Pandemic, will profoundly influence our daily mobility. This resulted scenario is expected to favor adopting cleaner and flexible modal solutions centered on bicycles and scooters, especially as last-mile options. However, as the use of bicycles has rapidly increased, cyclists have been subject to adverse conditions that may affect their health and safety when cycling in urban areas. Therefore, whereas cities should implement mechanisms to monitor and evaluate adverse conditions in cycling paths, cyclists should have some effective mechanism to visualize the indirect quality of cycling paths, eventually supporting choosing more appropriate routes. Therefore, this article proposes a comprehensive multi-parameter system based on multiple independent subsystems, covering all phases of data collecting, formatting, transmission, and processing related to the monitoring, evaluating, and visualizing the quality of cycling paths in the perspective of adverse conditions that affect cyclist. The formal interactions of all modules are carefully described, as well as implementation and deployment details. Additionally, a case study is considered for a large city in Brazil, demonstrating how the proposed system can be adopted in a real scenario.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document